Mixed fortunes for Redditch boxers - The Redditch Standard

Mixed fortunes for Redditch boxers

Redditch Editorial 24th Oct, 2018 Updated: 24th Oct, 2018   0

THERE were varying levels of success for Redditch Boxing Academy (RBA) fighters during a busy weekend of action.

Last Friday, talented southpaw Alex Tatlow travelled to Drayton Manor Hotel to take on a Tamworth ABC light heavyweight (81kg), who won a gruelling fight by a majority decision.

The underdog visiting boxer made a brilliant start to the bout, sending the home man sprawling to the canvas after just ten seconds with a solid left-hand, right-hook combination.

The home boxer bravely rose to his feet at the count of eight, clearly shellshocked. Tatlow pounced on his man again and proceeded with the onslaught, again sending the Tamworth boxer to the canvas.




The referee ruled the knockdown a slip and somehow the home fighter survived the round despite further punishment.

The second round was electric as the pair went toe-to-toe in trading blows, leaving the Tamworth fighter with it all to do. He rose to the challenge though and had Tatlow on the ropes in the third and final round despite the latter continuing to come forward.


Tatlow rode the onslaught and showed remarkable resolve, but was showing signs of fatigue. The Tamworth boxer, urged on by the crowd, pushed the pace but in doing so was met with counter-shots.

Both had done all they could do and were left to await a decision which really could have gone either way, but it was the home fighter who got it.

THE FOLLOWING day RBA head coach Sarah Lee travelled to the Aston ABC show with Redditch club-mates Lewis Wright and James Wynne.

First up was Wright, a 66kg youth with a style reminiscent of a young Thomas Hearns. As Wright’s Aston opponent weighed in over the 2kg weight allowance, the officials deemed the match to be a skills bout, meaning both boxers work under the control of the referee with the intent to demonstrate the noble art, as opposed to a gladiatorial contest.

Demonstration of the noble art was in full flow as Wright – a pupil of Lee’s coaching development system – put on a display far above his experience.

For three rounds, the Redditch talent boxed and moved effortlessly, scoring at will. Punches came in from all angles and direction, forcing the referee to impose conditions such as ‘jab only’.

Looking relaxed, Wright moved around the ring, peppering the jab towards the head of a boxer who demonstrated a strong desire and tried every trick in the book to catch up with his rangy opponent, who was always superior.

Wynne (another 66kg youth) was next up in his first bout against another Aston boxer. Wynne started in typical Redditch fashion, demonstrating skill and poise and forcing his opponent against the ropes and into the corners.

Both boxers gave an excellent account of themselves, throwing punches and landing counters with devastating accuracy. At one stage Wynne was forced into his own corner after a strong left hook, only to turn his opponent and land a straight one-two combination of his own.

On receiving his instructions, Wynne began the second round throwing three straight-punch combinations. This proved successful until fatigue set in, by which stage the home fighter had stepped up to the challenge and fought back with ferocious head shots and body shots which drained energy from the Redditch boxer.

Wynne showed remarkable character, looking to go blow for blow and when the bell ended round two the score could be separated by a sheet of paper.

Round three saw the Aston boxer fighting well at range, whilst the Redditch man tried to vary his attacks. The Aston man had won this round and Wynne the opener, so it hinged on the verdict from round two, on which the judges were split, with two giving it to Aston and one to Redditch, leaving the home man winner by majority decision.

Wynne, taking part in his first bout, congratulated his opponent before asking Lee to arrange a fight against the same opponent at a different show.

Lee, employing old-fashioned values of keeping fighters busy, was due back out again at Brierley Hill Civic Hall last night (Thursday) with Wright and is again leading an RBA man on Sunday when Midlands champion Leo Fanthome begins his journey in the National Championships.

Tatlow and Richard Bennett are both boxing at 81kg at different shows on Friday, November 2. For more club details, call Lee on 07541 133844.

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